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Moscow hotels

Moscow's hotels have done much to promote the city's newly vaunted reputation as one of the most expensive destinations in the world. Finding a hotel room in central Moscow for under $500 a night now requires a small miracle. The city government, which owns many hotels in Moscow (such as the five-star National), isn't helping matters much. Officials have promised to encourage construction of more three-star hotels, but have also rushed to cash in by razing ugly but affordable old Soviet standbys to make way for more luxury accommodations. And due to a chronic shortage of hotel space, most hotels are always nearly full to capacity, regardless of the price.

It is worthwhile to stay within sight ofor at least one metro stop fromthe Kremlin to enjoy Moscow's historic charms, but tourists without bottomless pockets often end up in outlying districts such as Izmailovo, where doubles in a massive complex of interlinked hotels start at about $130 (www.izmailovo.ru). Bargain hunters should keep in mind that Moscow hotels are geared toward corporate travelers and their expense accounts, so hotelseven pricey onesare more likely to run discounts on weekends and even in summer. Find out directly from the hotel you choose whether breakfast and the 18 percent value-added tax are included in the quoted price. If not, they can be an unpleasant surprise. And be aware that while some hotels are adding free Wi-Fi to their rooms or common areas, or have free computer terminals for guests to use in the lobby, others charge the ruble equivalent of $30 a day or more.

On a brighter note, some more offbeat options in the form of boutique hotelsa new phenomenon herehave begun to appear. The Golden Apple, for example, may be a taste of what lies ahead.